Many of our patients have turned to whitening strips and toothpastes in their quest for a whiter smile, only to feel disappointed with the results. Over the counter whitening treatments may make your teeth a shade or two brighter, but they just don’t have the same stain fighting power that a professional whitening treatment offers. At Docklands Dental Studio, we offer our patients the Zoom! whitening treatment, to remove even the most stubborn stains from their teeth. If you would like to learn more about whitening your teeth with the Zoom! system, call our Docklands dental office today at (03) 9021-9487.
Looking for a Dentist in Port Melbourne?
What Causes Your Teeth to Stain
Many factors can cause your teeth to become stained or discolored. Intrinsic stains emanate from inside the tooth, and can prove extremely difficult to remove. Patients who used an antibiotic called tetracycline as a child, or whose mother took it while pregnant, have a good chance of developing intrinsic stains. Fluorosis, which occurs when children ingest too much fluoride, can also cause these stains.
Extrinsic stains, which originate on the outside of the tooth, usually manifest due to foods and beverages we consume or lifestyle choices we make. Tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, contributes to more stained teeth than any other substance. Tobacco contains naturally dark colored tar and nicotine, which starts out clear, but turns yellow when exposed to oxygen. Coffee, black tea, and berries contain tannins, a compound that occurs naturally in plants that causes tooth stains. Colas, including clear cola drinks, contain acidic chromogens, which promote staining by other foods and beverages. Red wine contains both tannins and chromogens, making it one of the worst beverages for your teeth. Other staining agents include dark colored sauces and berries, sweets with artificial coloring, root canal issues, and dental trauma.
Zoom! Whitening Treatment
Our doctors prefer the Zoom! whitening system for our patients with stained teeth. The treatment takes place in our office, and lasts about 90 minutes total. The doctor will begin with a professional cleaning before the treatment, and will examine your teeth to try and determine the cause and severity of the stains. Then we will prepare you for your treatment by placing a protective covering over your lips and gums, leaving the teeth exposed. The doctor will have you choose between regular, mint, and melon flavored whitening gel, and then apply the gel to your teeth. Next, the doctor will use a special lamp to activate the hydrogen peroxide contained in the whitening gel. As the gel breaks down, oxygen molecules will enter the enamel and dentin, breaking apart the molecules that make up the stains, while leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. After your treatment, we will apply a fluoride gel to your teeth to reduce sensitivity. In just one visit, your smile will look several shades brighter.
Home Maintenance
The doctor will provide you with a take home touch-up kit that includes custom-fitted trays to help you maintain your glowing smile at home. To keep your smile bright, stay away from coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining foods and beverages, or at least consume them in moderation. Maintaining good oral hygiene at home will help keep your teeth healthy and white.
Call Us Today
To learn more about the Zoom! whitening treatment, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, call our Docklands dental office today at (03) 9021-9487.